The best of gluten free Manchester

With a name like The Allotment, you know you’re in safe, plant-based hands. What you might not know is their menu is also entirely gluten free. They work with local, sustainable growers wherever possible. A rustic, plant-filled space overlooking Manchester Cathedral, and serving dishes like buddha bowls, jackfruit tacos and aubergine burgers, it’s possibly the very best restaurant in the city to go to if you’re wanting to ensure a fuss-free ordering experience while enjoying some seriously tasty dishes.

Known for their sharable, vegetarian Indian street food, plenty of Bundobust’s dishes are also gluten free. There’s curry house classics like their bhajis, as well as tikka paneer as well as fusion numbers like the magical gobi Manchurian. With a relaxed order-a-few-each approach, and a carefully considered  cocktail menu too, this is a no-fuss, social spot for those looking to avoid gluten.

Knowing how well considered the menu is at Dishoom, it’s no surprise they have an extensive gluten free menu. Some require modifications to existing dishes, while others are totally gluten free creations. The sweet uttapam stack from the breakfast menu, for instance, is similar to a pancake stack, but made with rice flour and topped with sweet yoghurt, fresh berries and jaggery syrup. In terms of mains and curries there’s plenty to choose from too, including their classic, signature house black daal.

Evelyn’s has delicious gluten free options, and they go all out on presentation too. This pretty spot exudes NYC vibes with exposed brickwork and an open kitchen. Their menu leans heavily towards all things brunch and light lunch, and there are plenty of gluten free options throughout like salmon tartare, sumac chicken and even fish and chips. If you want to please a crowd of discerning foodies without dietary requirements getting in the way, Evelyn’s is the spot for you.

Positivity-exuding cafe and events space Feel Good Club is all about inclusivity, which is why their delightful brunch menu has shed loads of gluten free options, they just ask you to make your server aware and they’ll talk you through. There’s everything from big breakfasts loaded with sausages, smoky beans and hash browns to super green protein bowls. There are loads of vegan options too, so whatever you’re craving you can enjoy without any dietary dilemmas.

There are plenty of places in the city doing incredible tacos, but if you’re looking for gluten free you need to seek out the places using cornflour, rather than wheat flour. Madre, the high-energy taco and cocktail joint in KAMPUS, is one such place. While they don’t have a dedicated gluten free menu, they take allergies very seriously, and can adapt almost all of their dishes. Tacos are served ‘con todo’ (in pairs), and with toppings like birria, baja fish and halloumi, we see that as a green light to order another dos, or cuatro or even seis.

Entirely gluten free and halal, Mia’s Arepas is a Venezuelan street food gem inside Freight Island. Made from cornmeal, these flatbreads are both fluffy and crispy. Mia creates slow cooked fillings like beef and chicken with halloumi and vegan cheese options too. Sauces are homemade and pack a flavoursome, smoky punch. If you’re looking for gluten free bites while enjoying a big night at Freight, Mia’s Arepas are a wholly satisfying solution.

A paradise for coeliacs and pun-lovers alike, Off The Wheaten Track is a 100% coeliac friendly cafe and shop in Altrincham. Inside you’ll find a menu of homely favourites like fish finger sandwiches and potato cake stacks as well as bagel and toast based dishes. There’s an array of coeliac-friendly groceries to take home too from the deli section, so you can replicate the experience at home. The pies in particular come highly recommended.

Pho might be a chain restaurant with loads of outlets, but that doesn’t mean anything is phoned-in when it comes to the quality of the food. This Vietnamese place in the Corn Exchange is abundant with delicious gluten free options, in fact, almost every dish on the menu is one. So, fill your boots on their noodle soups, zingy salads, spring and summer rolls and even some of the beers. There’s even gluten free soy sauce. What’s more, Pho has a Coeliac UK accreditation, so you’re absolutely in safe hands.

Another Mexican spot serving the lesser-spotted cornflower tortilla. Pico’s have been a mainstay of Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor for years serving up rainbow bowls of tacos, nachos, churros and more. Incredibly, their entire menu is gluten free, which is cause for celebration. Frozen margs, anyone?

Pieminister have spent years honing and creating the perfect pie crust for their gluten-free pies, and their pastry so good that you probably won’t notice the difference. There’s the Moo, which is beef, steak and ale, the Heidi with goats cheese and sweet potato, and finally the Free Ranger chicken & ham with leek & thyme. These guys prove that proper comfort food is possible without gluten, and for that we salute them. Find them in their restaurants in the Northern Quarter and on Deansgate.

Purezza looks like a typical Italian pizzeria, but it is anything but. They serve 100% plant-based pizzas where you can also opt for a gluten free base on any of them. Toppings range from the simple (marinara) to the outlandish (BBQ bourbon) and pretty much every single one has a GF option – just be sure to let the staff know and they’ll ensure your requirements are catered for.

Affordable and as un-chainy as chain restaurants can get, Rosa’s Thai serve dishes which are both comforting and light. The vast majority of their dishes are veggie or vegan as standard, and almost all can be made with gluten free sauces. The drunken noodles and red duck pineapple curry are particular stand-outs. For colourful and inviting food with lots of flexibility for dietary requirements, we’d go back to Rosa’s time and time again.

Yes, that’s right – authentic Chinese food is no longer off the menu for coeliacs and gluten intolerant foodies. The team at Sweet Mandarin take gluten-free seriously, confirming that favourites like king prawn Pad Thai and salt and pepper chicken wings are prepared in a separate environment, with sauces entirely made from scratch. They also serve a selection of gluten free beers.